The M23 rebels backed by Rwanda have expanded their control over the provincial capital of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo following their invasion on Monday.

After the early-morning incursion, chaotic conditions prevailed in the city of almost 2 million people. The United Nations said it was "deeply concerned," and humanitarian organizations have spoken of an immense need for aid.

"It's a predictable escalation given the failure of all previous peace initiatives," Jona Thiel of the German international relations and security policy think tank KFIBS told DW.

The region faces deeply rooted, primarily ethnically motivated tensions. According to Thiel, these conflicts cannot be resolved through negotiations in the short- or medium- term. He further explained that a negotiated peace deal would not automatically lead to pacification.

"One should not delude oneself into thinking that the conflict potential between the various militias would cease overnight with the signing of an agreement, if such an agreement ever materializes," he said

The main antagonists in the political conflict are Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, Rwanda's president whose government in Kigali has increasingly supported the M23. Thiel says both failed to deviate from their maximalist positions.

"For Kigali, the M23 is a group that would represent Rwandan interests in any future negotiations. Kigali, therefore, wants to recognize the M23 as a negotiating partner. [The government in] Kinshasa, on the other hand, views the M23 as a terrorist group and refuses to recognize them as a legitimate negotiating partner."

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading........

© Deutsche Welle